The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have funded nearly 100 national health organizations while simultaneously lobbying against legislation aimed at draining national soda consumption, a damning study said Monday.

The study said the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo flushed cash to 96 national health organizations, many of which had vowed to fight America's obesity epidemic. Those groups included the American Red Cross, the American Medical Association, the American Diabetes Association, the Center for Food Integrity and several universities.

At the same time, both companies lobbied against 28 bills that targeted their drinks — and that often relied on research from those health groups. Between 2011 and 2015, PepsiCo spent more than $3 million annually on lobbying — and Coca-Cola spent more than $6 million.

It was not clear in what ways the companies paid the 96 health groups. But the study said all that cash likely sweetened the PR for sugary sips.

"It is probable that corporate philanthropy is increasing consumption of soda throughout the country," the study said.

The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo, America's two biggest soft drink companies, have funded nearly 100 national health organizations, a new study says. (CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS)

"Rather than supporting public health, organizations may become unwitting partners that contribute to corporate marketing strategy."

The study said Pepsi sponsored 14% of these companies, while Coca-Cola sent cash to 99%. But it was easier to find Coke data, since the company vowed to disclose its funding after the New York Times revealed last year it was paying the Global Energy Balance Network. Pepsi likely has many more relationships that it has yet to reveal, according to the paper.

Coca-Cola didn't explicitly comment on the study. But the American Beverage Association issued a statement, claiming that the "companies have a long tradition of supporting community organizations across the country."

"As this report points out, some of these organizations focus on strengthening public health, which we are proud to support."

The statement gave no indication that the companies would cut off funding to health groups.

PepsiCo issued a statement that completely ignored the study's findings but complained about how the paper called it a "soda company."

"Today, about 45% of our revenue comes from everyday nutrition products (such as oats), zero and low calorie beverages, and snacks with low levels of salt and saturated fats," the statement said.

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A study last month from JAMA Internal Medicine found that the Sugar Research Foundation paid Harvard scientists in the 1960s to blame heart disease on saturated fat and cholesterol — a move that downplayed the dangers of sugar for decades.